Chazen Museum of Art The building is a work of art. Galleries display African, Asian and 21st- century international works. chazen.wisc.edu[3]

Dane County Farmers Market The nation’s oldest farmers market is also the country’s largest producer-only market, with 280 vendors selling produce, flowers, meats and more on Capitol Square. dcfm.org[4]

Horicon Marsh Considered one of the nation’s top birding spots, the marsh sits an hour northeast of Madison. Split into state and federal wildlife refuges, the 33,000-acre preserve harbors an estimated 300,000 birds every spring and fall. Nearly 300 species have been sighted, including the rare trumpeter swan and yellow-billed cuckoo. horiconmarsh.org[5]

Lake Monona See it from a Betty Lou motor yacht during a Champagne brunch cruise or from a bike on trails that pass lakes Monona and Mendota. dnr.wi.gov[6]

Madison Museum of Contemporary Art The airy Overture Building near the Capitol houses more than 20,000 pieces of modern art, some in a rooftop garden. mmoca.org[7]

Madison Trust for Historic Preservation Walking Tours Participate in a brisk, hour-long introduction to the history and architecture of town. madisonpreservation.org[8]

Monona Terrace Tours and an exhibit address the controversy around the building of this Frank Lloyd Wright-designed convention center on Lake Monona. mononaterrace.com[9]

Monroe Street Indie shops and restaurants line a 1½-mile stretch west of downtown. shopmonroestreet.com[10]

National Mustard Museum Exhibits and video make a quirky yet classy homage to ketchup’s counterpart, 7 miles west of Madison in Middleton. mustardmuseum.com[11]

Harvest The menu follows the seasons at this upscale favorite. Check the website for themed monthly Sunday dinners. harvest-restaurant.com[25]

Ian's Pizza This eatery on State Street cemented its reputation selling pizza by the slice (and opened satellite shops in Chicago's Wrigleyville neighborhood and in Milwaukee). Patrons gobble up its top-selling mac 'n' cheese pizza. ianspizza.com[26]

L’Etoile Fine dining about as fine as it gets. A mere canapé of rosemary shortbread with raspberry crème fraîche and chives made us swoon. letoile-restaurant.com[27]

Marigold Kitchen Heaping platters of brioche French toast and pancakes fuel whatever plans you have for the day. marigoldkitchen.com[28]

Merchant Restaurant Like its cocktails crafted by mixologists, Merchant mixes the best of food and fun: It’s a restaurant, bar, grocer, butcher and night club all in one. merchantmadison.com[29]